Pathway to greatness with Frida Valtonsson

Frida Valtonsson has turned a love of fitness into a thriving business, teaming up with her partner to grow what started out as a small, private studio gym into a successful group training community.

What began as an outlet for stress during a difficult time in her life has inspired a passion that resulted in Frida Valtonsson successfully coowning and running her own gym on the other side of the world.

Having experienced emotional turmoil following a break-up and the loss of a loved one, Frida decided to focus on improving her own wellbeing, and in doing so, found her calling.

“The more I got into fitness, the more I loved it, and because it was improving my life, I felt like I wanted to tell the world about it,” Frida said.

I saw it as a great chance to build a career and live in one of the best places in the world.

“That’s when I made the decision to study it and pursue it as a career. I just really wanted to help others feel as good as I felt.”

Born and raised in Sweden, Frida had previously travelled to Australia and fallen in love with its sunny beaches – so when Frida discovered TAFE Queensland delivered the Diploma of Sport (SIS50321) on the Sunshine Coast, she jumped at the opportunity.

“I saw it as a great chance to build a career and live in one of the best places in the world.

“TAFE Queensland was able to offer a course that met my needs; practical, hands-on, flexible training that not only provided in-depth learning but could also be achieved in a reasonable amount of time, and the guidance of our teachers was amazing.”

It was as she was nearing her graduation and preparing to return to Sweden in 2019 that she met and fell in love with her partner Isaac, making the decision to stay and work as a personal trainer from his private studio gym where, at the time, he delivered two group training classes a week.

“I started taking clients, and they referred their friends, so my clientele kept getting bigger. With new people coming in, my partner and I decided to renovate the gym and offer group fitness.”

Frida had only been working for six months when she and Isaac opened The Studio Health and Fitness Community. Then COVID hit.

“We were incredibly lucky that we had such supportive members, so we were able to keep going,” Frida said.

In just four years, The Studio Health and Fitness Community has grown from two classes a week to 21, has moved into a bigger space more than double the size of their first studio and has just taken on a new trainer to work with runners.

“I constantly want to improve, not just in business but in life, so I love the challenge of running my own business. It provides the possibility to grow and continue learning because it’s a never-ending journey,” Frida said. “My dream is to continue growing our gym and provide more for our members, but I’d also love to be able to employ more coaches and help more trainers join the industry.

“I’m doing what I love, and I want to inspire others to do the same.”

Visit tafeqld.edu.au or call 1300 308 233 for more information and let TAFE Queensland help you define your greatness.

https://tafeqld.edu.au/courses/apply-and-enrol/subsidised-training/fee-free-tafe